A Dangerous Trio; “Them Crooked Vultures”

For those who like to root for the villain, “Them Crooked Vultures” is your new soundtrack of infamy.

The phrase “legendarily awesome rock n’ roll supergroup” is thrown around all too often these days, but in regards to the illustrious personnel that make-up “Them Crooked Vultures,” the expression is all seven shades of befitting. Comprised of Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana), setting up shop behind the drum kit, and Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss, Eagles of Death Metal) multitasking the elemental duties of signature guitar-shredding while mischievously crooning lyrics of which your mother would unquestionably disapprove. Oh yeah, and picking up the slack on bass guitar: John Paul Jones (?!...Led Zeppelin, anyone?). Surprisingly, this trio of renowned rock titans blends together famously. Musically, the album is flagrantly sinister and matter-of-factly raunchy and unclean. On the devilishly charming tune “Reptiles,” Jones’ nimble bass playing is supremely enriched by Grohl’s unpredictable yet unostentatious banging. The stomp “Warsaw or the First Breath You Take After You Give Up” is a pseudo-inspirational message from a reputable anti-hero (Homme), nearly eight minutes teeming with haunting riffs and clever hooks. “Elephants” sums up the bizarre yet ingenious collaboration, as it sufficiently answers the question on everyone’s lips: what would a Queens of the Stone Age/Zeppelin-hybrid musical brainchild sound like? The answer is three spoonfuls of expert musicianship, combined with a heavy dose of delicious mischief.

Major Tracks: “Elephants,” “Reptiles,” “Bandoliers”